Abstract
Tramadol hydrochloride/acetaminophen is a combination drug containing tramadol hydrochloride 37.5 mg and acetaminophen 325 mg. To evaluate the effect of this tramadol hydrochloride/acetaminophen combination (Tramcet®) on pain in patients with spinal disease, we tested 40 consecutive patients who had been receiving NSAIDs for more than one month without any effective pain relief. The patients received four Tramcet® tablets as a daily dose. After 4 weeks, 92% of the patients obtained pain relief and 92% of them showed improved activity of daily living. Nausea and vomiting has been reported to be the main side effect of Tramcet®. When we applied metoclopramide for the first three days together with Tramcet®, the incidence of nausea or vomiting was 16%, whereas Tramcet® alone elicited nausea in 57% of the patients. When we compared the effect of Tramcet® on patients with and without neuralgia, the effects were the same.
Tramadol hydrochloride/acetaminophen was thus shown to be effective for pain relief in patients unresponsive to NSAIDs, showing a lower risk of serious adverse events such as gastric ulcer or impairment of renal function.
